One to watch? Spinner David Wainwright who has been signed from Yorkshire. He has had good form in the one day format and at Derbyshire should have the conditions to be able to transfer this to championship success.

Verdict? Derbyshire are a club who are to be congratulated for managing their finances very well. They are a stable club who are a real force in their local community. In 2011 they gave out more new contracts than any other county. They have financial stability because they live within their means. This might mean they don’t get on pitch success but they are a stable club now after the big changes in 2011. Wayne Madsen has taken over the captaincy following Luke Suttons’ retirement and although they don’t have any real box office names they have a good balanced squad. It’s unlikely they’ll get promoted but they should give a good account of themselves throughout the season.

Essex

Essex boy: David Masters is expected to be crucial for Essex this season (Image: Getty)

One to watch? David Masters was the vital component in Essex’s machine in 2011 and it’s likely he will take that role again

Verdict? 2011 was a hugely disappointing season for Essex followed by a winter marred with controversy over the Westfield/Danish Kaneria spot fixing case. David Masters, who bowled an almost unnatural amount of overs in 2011 will have proper bowling support with the signing of Charl Willougby and there are some very exciting youngsters such as Tymal Mills and Maurice Chambers coming through at Chelmsford. Alviro Petersen, the South Africa batsman, is a very strong signing even though he’s only likely to be available for the first half of the season.

It’s unlikely they will see much of Cook or Bopara during the season but with a top and middle order like Essex’s (the likes of Owais Shah, Ryan Ten Doeschate, James Foster, Graham Napier) they should be doing better than seventh in Division 2.

Glamorgan

Paceman: England Lion James Harris will be a major weapon for Glamorgan (Image: Getty)

One to watch? 21 year old fast bowler James Harris. Has caught the eye of the England selectors and is now a regular part of the England Lions squad . Harris took 44 wickets in the Championship in 2011 and is likely to play an even bigger part in 2012’s campaign.

Verdict? It’s been another slightly turbulent winter down at the SWALEC although not quite on the same level as the soap opera winter of 2010/11. There were more changes in the management set up with Colin Metson moving slightly sideways from his role as director of cricket – most agree this is a good thing. Glamorgan stalwart Mike Powell was released rather oddly before his benefit year had even finished and there was the Alviro Petersen” Will he, won’t he join?” saga (in the end he signed for Essex). However, there are some very positive signs that 2012 might be a good year at the SWALEC – Mark Wallace has taken over the captaincy and he is a very sensible and down to earth man with a good cricket brain. Marcus North, Moises Henrique and Michael Hogan who was recently named in the Australian Cricketers Association all-stars team will bolster a team that is brimming with talent. Robert Croft remains an integral part of the team both for what he provides with the ball and the vast amount of experience he can pass on to the younger players such as James Harris. 2005 Ashes Hero Simon Jones has returned to Wales after his dalliance with the New Forest but there are, and I suspect sadly will always be, real concerns about his fitness. He breaks very easily these days.

Gloucestershire

Impressive debut season: Now expectations have been raised for Will Gidman (Image: Getty)

One to watch? Will “Baby” Gidman – had a mightily impressive debut season achieving the hugely impressive feat of scoring over 1000 runs and taking over 50 wickets in a debut season. He will need to be at his best again this summer as the stocks at Gloucestershire have been depleted over the winter with the losses of Jon Lewis and Chris Taylor.

Verdict? It was not a nice winter for all at Bristol - dominated by failed planning permission, uncertainty over players futures, termination of contracts and real uncertainty about where the future of Gloucestershire cricket lies. However, Will Gidman signed a 2 year contract extension and the council have leant the county £400k to try again to get the planning permission they need to develop the ground. As it stands they will have to undertake their championship campaign without an overseas player, relying on the inexperienced but talented young players like Chris Dent and Gidman. It might be a tough year at Bristol but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger or so they say.

Hampshire

Key spinner: Hampshire's Danny Briggs (Image: Getty)

How did they do in 2011? County Championship Division 1: Ninth (relegated)

One to watch? Young spinner Danny Briggs is already firmly in the sights of the England management but he will be a key component of Hampshire’s aim to go straight back up to the top flight. On turning Rosebowl tracks he should be a crucial part of Hampshire’s bowling armoury.

Verdict? It’s been a winter of slight discontent at the Rosebowl (now to be known as the Ageas Bowl) – well publicized financial problems have seen the ground put into hands of the local council. There’s been something of a clear out of players as well. Relegation was a big blow for Hampshire but it’s not all doom and gloom, they have a squad with much talent. Simon Katich is a strong overseas signing and they’ve retained an incredibly strong batting line up which includes talents like Michael Carberry (who’s back with a blast from his health problems), Neil Mckenzie and the promising James Vince. Kabir Ali who played one Test for England in 2003 is back fit after a period of injury and he will lead the attack and they’ll miss Dimi Mascherenas who’ll be at the IPL for the start of the season. They should, in theory, have a good chance of getting promoted but given the big change in personnel it remains to be seen how they gel as a squad.

Kent

New arrival: Ben Harmison is expected to show well for Kent this season (Image: Getty)

One to watch? Ben Harmison (brother of ex-England bowler Steve) - has an average of 44 in first class cricket for Division 1 side Durham, the drop in division for Harmison should suit him well and he will get a lot of first team cricket. Although with the loan of opener Scott Newman from Middx he may not be Rob Key’s opening partner.

Verdict? It’s been a turbulent few years at the St Lawrence Ground but things are on the up there. Their financial situation is improving, the development of the ground is well underway and some of their more expensive players have moved on. As well as making the exciting appointment of West Indian Legend Jimmy Adams as coach, they’ve made some very shrewd signings over the winter – Charlie Shreck and Mike Powell both still have plenty left to offer to the county game and Brendan Nash, although not a big name overseas, is a solid overseas signing. Under the captaincy of the ever reliable Rob Key, the mixture of the experience of Darren Stevens, Shreck, Powell and the talented youth of the likes of Drummond-Bell, Adam Ball, Sam Northeast, Sam Billings etc could mean an exciting and successful 2012. Adam Ball and Daniel Bell-Drummond, have been selected by England for the upcoming U19s Quadrangular series in Australia.

One to watch? Shiv Thakor – very talented young batsman who also bowls some medium pace. He’s just 18 and still at Uppingham School but on a summer contract - once he has finished his exams expect to see a bit of him. Thakor made a century on his first class debut (Leics v Loughborough MCCU). Thakor has represented England at u15, u17 and u19 level and is highly regarded by Tim Boon.

Verdict? Leicestershire had a terrible 2011 in the Championship only winning one match all season – it’s easy to ignore this, given they ended up with a trophy for winning the T20 competition. They have become something of a breeding ground for young talent, who then move on, and this is shown by the fact they have eight under 22s in their squad. It’s a worthy role and they should be congratulated for producing fine cricketers like Stuart Broad and James Taylor (both now at Notts) but this is unlikely to translate into success in the championship. Although Leicestershire members will be longing to see some decent championship cricket – they do have a good mix of youth and experience and although it may be another difficult season, there should be some improvement on last year. There’s certainly a good amount of talent in the squad players such as Nathan Buck, Josh Cobb, Rob Taylor, Ned Eckersley and the experience of Claude Henderson and Matthew Hoggard.

Northamptonshire

Man in demand: Jack Brooks was courted by a number of clubs, but opted to stay with Northants (Image: Getty)

One to watch? Fast bowler and headband wearing Jack Brooks - was being chased by plenty of other counties by the end of 2011. But he chose to re-sign for Northamptonshire. He was a regular part of the England lions squad over the winter – he will play a key role alongside overseas player Chaminda Vaas in Northants' search for promotion.

Verdict? 2011 was heartbreaking for all at Northants. So close to promotion being in the top 2 of the division for almost the entire season only have a dip in form towards the end and be pipped at the post by Surrey. Northants have a lot of depth in the batting with powerful hitters such as Niall O’Brien and Andrew Hall. Chaminda Vaas took 70 wickets in the championship last season and even at the age of 38 he’ll be required to bowl a lot of overs and take a lot of wickets again this year. 22 year old Rob Newton is coming of age and if he lives up to his promise could be in for a very successful year. Northants are a close knit team and as we saw with Lancs – team spirit can go a long way to gaining success.

Yorkshire

Talented prospect: England Lions' Joe Root (Image: Getty)

How did they do in 2011? County Championship Division 1: 8th (Relegated)

One to watch? Yorkshire is packed with exciting young prospects but both the England selectors and many in the media have their eye on Joe Root as a possible future England opener. He still has developing to do but he has a regular place in the lions team and is clearly very talented, he should get plenty of opportunity in Division 2 to occupy the crease and get big runs.

Verdict? 2011 was not a good year for Yorkshire, either through financial necessity or a cricketing policy decision, they didn’t have an overseas for most of the season until the emergency call went out to Rudolph as relegation loomed. Promotion back to the top division an absolute must according to those in charge at the club – seeing their rivals Lancashire lift the trophy whilst they embraced relegation was a bitter pill to swallow for proud Yorkshiremen. However, they are strong promotion contenders with a strong bowling attack containing the experience of Ryan Sidebottom, Ajmal Shazhad and Adil Rashid – all 3 with international experience. The batting lacks that experience but what it lacks in years it makes up for in talent – Adam Lyth, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Balance and Joe Root. They’ll be bitterly disappointed if they don’t get promotion – 2013 is Yorkshire’s 150th anniversary and they’ll want to spend it in the top flight.